Harry Martin Thorbjornsen

July 14, 2020

Harry Martin Thorbjornsen passed away on July 14, 2020 in Martinsville,VA. He was born in Norfolk, VA to Freda Ridenour Thorbjornsen and Melvin Thorbjornsen. He was raised in the Edgewater section of Norfolk next to a truck farm where he worked as a young boy. He started to school in 1930 at Larchmont Elementary and then attended Blair Junior and Maury High. He started his Civil Service career in 1944 at Norfolk Naval Base before being inducted in the U S Army where he served as a rifleman in the 84th Infantry Division in Germany. He received the Purple Heart and later served during the Occupation. He returned to Norfolk in 1946 and worked in Civil Service until retirement in 1977. He loved singing and was a member of several church choirs and the Jolliff Jubilaires of Chesapeake,VA. He also loved gardening and spending time with family and friends. Harry is survived by his wife of 64 years Margaret James Thorbjornsen, his daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Joy, Keith and Jordan Nance, all of Reidsville, NC and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Melvin and Theodore Thorbjornsen, his sisters Margarette Thorbjornsen, Georgianna Cullipher and Virginia Gaylord, his daughter Mary Thorbjornsen Jennings. He was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Martinsville. Burial will be at 11:00 am Saturday July 18, 2020 in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk, VA with militay honors.